Essential tips for staying warm on a construction site
If you work within the construction industry, you will often be starting work earlier than most occupations and finishing later. Now we are coming into the colder months of the year construction site workers will experience some of the coldest days of the year while trying to effectively carry out their respective roles.
One of the coldest nights in UK history was recorded this year on the 11th of February 2021 where temperatures reached the lowest point in over two decades at -22.9°c.
Working in a cold environment does have potential serious health risks associated, cold stress happens when the body is not able to warm itself and can lead to hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia occurs when the body can’t retain heat as fast as it loses it which will lead to common symptoms such as shivering, confusion, slurred speech, weak pulse and loss of coordination. If you believe hypothermia is happening it is vital that you remove all wet clothing and move the person into a dry and warm area. Use methods to provide warmth such as warm drinks, dry thermal clothing and heated blankets.
Here are 5 top tips on how to keep warm:
Plan your clothing – wear lots of layers
This is an obvious tip, but you would be surprised it is common for workers to leave their homes in a rush and not consider the elements they are going into for 9 + hours. Prepare the correct workwear before leaving, making sure you are going to stay warm.
Make sure the workwear you choose is high quality and designed for the elements, look out for products that have thermal insulation with waterproof properties.
An example of this is the Portwest PW369 Hi Vis Winter Parka Jacket:
While you are working on site, you would more than likely require head protection in the form of a safety helmet. Having a non-vented safety helmet will be a great step to take to make sure your head stays dry as well as coupling the safety helmet with a helmet winter liner. Helmet liners or Helmet warmers as they are often called are a great way to keep your head, ears and sometimes even nose dry and warm throughout the day.
Look out for an insulated helmet liner such this PA58 Helmet Winter Liner:
In some case this will not be possible, if the project you are working on is watertight and you can work within those areas then do so. If your clothes get wet and the moisture stays on your skin, it will lower your overall body temperature. If you need to work outside in the wet, then pack a spare change of clothes and make sure to use them if you feel cold.
Keep on the go!
If you are constantly moving around your body will generate heat, if you are stood still this will leave you with a lack of heat being generated and progressively getting colder. This shouldn’t be an issue however as you are likely carrying out physical tasks while being on a construction site.
Take extra care of hands and feet
I’m sure you have noticed this before, but your hands and feet will be the first to react to cold weather conditions and often can be the hardest to warm back up. The marketplace has product that will keep your hands warm while still being able to carry out your required work, safety gloves such as A646 - Vis-Tex Winter Gloves Nitrile which have a warm 7-gauge acrylic liner for extreme cold protection.
Safety boots will be vital in keeping your feet from getting cold or wet, we would recommend you get a pair of composite toe boots for the winter months. The safety boot would need to have a water resistant upper for prevention of water penetration.
